HOMA-IR Calculator
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) estimates insulin resistance from a single fasting blood draw. Enter your fasting glucose and fasting insulin to get both your HOMA-IR and QUICKI scores — two mathematically related ways to look at the same underlying physiology.
After at least 8 hours without eating
Same as mU/L
Enter your values above to see your results.
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How it works
The formulas
HOMA-IR = (fasting glucose mg/dL × fasting insulin µU/mL) ÷ 405. With SI units: (glucose mmol/L × insulin mU/L) ÷ 22.5. QUICKI = 1 ÷ (log insulin + log glucose) — the same inputs, log-transformed, which makes it slightly more reliable at the extremes.
Why two scores?
HOMA-IR and QUICKI use the same two lab values and are near-perfectly correlated. HOMA-IR is more widely cited in research; QUICKI is mathematically better behaved for very high or very low values. Showing both lets you compare against whichever reference a study or practitioner uses.
Limitations
Both scores assume a true fasting state (8+ hours) and are less accurate in people on insulin therapy, with advanced beta-cell failure, or with unusual antibody profiles. A single value is a snapshot — trends over time are more informative.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good HOMA-IR score?
Below 1.0 is generally considered optimal, and 1.0–2.0 is within the normal range for most adults. Values above 2.0–2.9 may suggest early insulin resistance. There is no single universal cut-off — thresholds vary by age, ethnicity, and lab method.
My labs are in mmol/L — how do I convert?
Divide your glucose value by 18 to convert mmol/L to mg/dL (or multiply mg/dL by 0.0555). Insulin in mU/L is the same as µU/mL, so no conversion is needed there.
What is the difference between HOMA-IR and QUICKI?
Both use fasting glucose and insulin. HOMA-IR multiplies them (higher = more resistance); QUICKI log-transforms and inverts them (lower = more resistance). QUICKI tends to be more accurate at the extremes; HOMA-IR has a larger research literature.
Is HOMA-IR a diagnosis of insulin resistance?
No. HOMA-IR is a screening estimate from a single fasting draw. Diagnosis considers the full picture: symptoms, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, A1c, and sometimes a glucose tolerance test. Always review results with a qualified practitioner.
Sources
- Matthews DR, et al. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and beta-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia, 1985.
- Katz A, et al. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index: a simple, accurate method for assessing insulin sensitivity in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2000.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reference ranges are general population guidelines — always discuss your lab results with a qualified healthcare professional.